01 What Is Theology

For purposes of this course, Christian theology will be defined as the tradition of critical reflection on what should be taught as Christian doctrine. The central focus of Christian doctrine as presented here is not salvation, Christian life, or the Kingdom of God (important as these themes are) but the identity of Jesus Christ. From this vantage point, the lectures will aim to bring key disagreements within the theological tradition into focus, so listeners may have a better understanding of the diversity of Christianity today. We will begin not with research into the historical Jesus but with the early churchs faith in Christ.